"We used Compass for three SAT Subject tests. Everytutor was excellent - knowledgeable in the subjectmatter and helpful in guiding our son throughthe material and overall test-taking skills. The servicewas terrific all around, and of course, the outstandingscore increases didn't hurt."

SAT Subject Test Preparation

SAT Subject Tests are required or recommended by many of the most selective colleges. Too often, we find that students and parents treat these exams as afterthoughts to the SAT or ACT. Good timing, especially, is critical to optimal performance. A student who can ace the Biology E/M Subject Test at the end of her sophomore year, when she’s finishing AP Biology, is a student who might receive only an average score if she waits until her senior year to take it. We can give you advice and practice tests so you can decide which subjects to take and when to take them.

Compass focuses exclusively on one-on-one test preparation, so you can be assured of a Subject Test program custom-fit to your needs. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all packages, we take the time to evaluate your test-taking strengths and weaknesses, then make personalized recommendations. Your college goals, your learning style, your schedule, even your extracurricular interests – we take all of this into account in tailoring your program of study and matching you with the ideal instructors. Read more about our approach.

Expert Compass tutors are available for virtually every popular Subject Test, including U.S. History, World History, Literature, Math Level 1, Math Level 2, Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics, Spanish, and French. As we don’t require an upfront commitment to an entire program, you are welcome to opt out at any time without further charges. One reason we offer a diagnostic practice test and director analysis before you sign up is so that you know exactly where you stand and how you can improve. And even if you then decide to prepare on your own, we’ll be glad to provide some guidance.

We have detailed reports for 9 of the most popular Subject Tests. We’ve incorporated percentile ranks, contextualized your performance with that of other test-takers, highlighted the attractor answers that trip up many students, and provided a detailed breakdown of the content tested. All of this combined allows you to make informed decisions about how to allocate your prep time.

Too often, we find that students and parents treat the Subject Tests as afterthoughts to the SAT or ACT. Good timing, especially, is critical to optimal performance.

Sample Math Level 2 Score Report

Scroll through our sample score report to see how these reports can help improve your prep plan.

For more information about Subject Tests, check out these posts from our blog.

Each year, requirements and recommendations for SAT Subject Tests grow more diverse. Though Subject Tests play a role in nearly every college’s admissions process, colleges are’t always in agreement about how tests impact their decisions. Competitive schools tend to require Subject Tests.

Discover the answers to frequently-asked questions about SAT Subject Tests: Which students should take the tests? What are the keys to success? How important are they? Which subject tests should you choose? When should you take subject tests? How many can you take in one day?

SAT Subject Test Dates

SAT Subject Tests™ are offered 6 times per year in October, November, December, January, May and June.

Subject Test

December 1, 2018

May 4, 2019

June 1, 2019

August 24, 2019

October 5, 2019

November 2 ,2019

December 7, 2019

May 2, 2020

June 6, 2020

Literature

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U.S. History

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World History

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Mathematics Level 1

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Mathematics Level 2

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Biology E/M

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Chemistry

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Physics

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French

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German

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Spanish

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Modern Hebrew

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Italian

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Latin

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Languages with Listening

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Success Stories

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Compass tutors were reliable, professional, and very knowledgable. Even when we needed to handle a tutor-switch, our director handled things with ease and diplomacy. Compass was key in the success of raising our daughter's ACT and Subject Test scores.

Ginny L, Mother of Evelyn, 12th Grader at Archer School for Girls

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Compass is the best! We were newbies to this process and, unfortunately, used another company earlier on. We should have gone straight to Compass. The tutors are professional and the administration is attentive. Our daughter's scores went way up, so we will definitely use Compass again when it's time for our son to begin the process.

Karen J, Mother of Grace, 11th Grader at the Branson School

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From the first moment that I contacted Compass until the last phone call, the service and care were superior. My daughter had very lofty goals and Compass was a major factor in the strategy to get her the numbers she desired!

Briana P, Mother of Brittany, 12th Grader at Marlborough School

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We used Compass to prepare our son for both the ACT and two SAT Subject Tests. When I initially contacted Compass, and spoke to our director, she was very responsive to my many questions. Additionally, the materials she provided to me, as a parent, were incredibly helpful. Our son's results on all exams were excellent. I highly recommend Compass - the team is top notch!

Barbara C, Mother of John, 12th Grader at La Canada High School

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We love Compass and are happy to shout it from the rooftops. You made the highly difficult process of these exams palatable for both of my daughters. Thank you!

Susan L, Mother of Krista, 12th Grader at Vistamar School

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We have three children, two of whom have used Compass already and the other will be doing so soon. We could not speak more highly of Compass and the services provided - their tutors know just the right balance for working with our children.

Alan P, Father of Isaac, 12th Grader at Redwood High School

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Catherine found her work with Compass to be the key to comfort in the standardized testing process. Thank you for your superior tutors in several subjects and relaxed drop-in practice test sessions. We will spread the news of your great program to Catherine's classmates!

Marilyn J, Mother of Catherine, 11th Grader at Convent of the Sacred Heart

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We've used Compass for all three of our kids to help them prepare for the SAT, the SAT Subject Tests and the ACT. Before finding Compass, we had sampled several of its well-known competitors, but we found that none of them measured up to Compass in terms of the overall quality of its test preparation program. Compass has the best individual tutors, the most comprehensive and widely available practice testing, the most thoughtful leadership and the most responsive customer service. Compass understands that the key to a student's achieving his or her test potential is self-confidence, but self-confidence comes in turn from preparation, understanding the test, and lots of practice.

Richard W, Father of Julia, 12th Grader at Polytechnic School

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We used Compass for three SAT Subject tests (Biology EM, Chemistry, and Math 2) and for the ACT. Our son liked having different tutors who specialized in the different areas. Every tutor was excellent - knowledgeable in the subject matter and helpful in guiding my son through the material and overall test-taking skills. My son had a very narrow window in his schedule when test prep could fit, so we were very appreciative that we could request a day and time frame; our Director found a good fit every time. The service was terrific all around, and of course, the outstanding score increases didn't hurt.

Cassandra B, Mother of William, 11th Grader at Harvard-Westlake School

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Compass did a terrific job of working with my 12th grade daughter to achieve great scores on the ACT and SAT Subject Tests. Starting with the initial contact and with follow-up throughout the program, the office staff did an excellent job of understanding my daughter's strengths and needs and matched her with tutors who were perfect for her. The tutors were extremely knowledgeable, quickly understood my daughter's learning style, and used strategies and examples that resulted in strong scores. With Compass' coaching, she got an 800 on the Math II Subject Test, did extremely well on the math and science sections of the ACT, and improved her ACT Reading score by 7 points.

Cecily R, Mother of Hope, 12th Grader at Vistamar School

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The two young men who were my son's tutors were great models. They broke the enormous project of preparing for the Subject Tests into small steps with lots of feedback. Our son only had to take his exams once because he scored so well the first time.